The co-pilot of an Ethiopian Airlines flight bound for Rome is in custody after forcing the plane to land in Geneva. Officials said the hijacking was an effort to seek asylum in Switzerland.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

I ... to cope with the Ethiopian Airlines jet was arrested on Monday after forcing the Roman downed aircraft to lean in Geneva ... hijacking was a bid for asylum in Switzerland authorities said ... according to airport officials the drama started when the chief pilot of the Boeing seven sixty seven ... left the cockpit to use the bathroom ... the hijacker who has not been identified ... the locks the cockpit door and took control of the plane ... the Italian military scrambled two jets to intercept the aircraft in French fighters picking up the company to Geneva ... the plane's passengers were ordered to disembark on the runway with their hands over their heads ... no passengers or crew were injured during hijack ... Swiss police took the co pilot into custody on the tarmac shortly after